Steff's House of Style

Trend Spotting: Neon Clothing

2012-03-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

One of the hottest trends this spring/summer is neon clothing! Whether its an evening gown or a casual summer dress, neon clothing is making a statement of freshness, fun, and energy on the runways, red carpet, and in street wear.

Neon on the runway:

(Burberry Prorsum, Jill Sander, Nina Ricci)

Celebrities in neon clothing:

(Jessica Alba, Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker)

Trend Spotting: Statement Jewelry

2012-02-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

From the runway to the red carpet statement jewelry pieces such as bold earrings, multi-chain necklaces, and chunky bangles are catching the eyes of fashionista's everywhere and becoming a popular fashion accessories must have!

Celebrities in statement jewelry:

(Gwyneth Paltrow, Miley Cyrus, Sandra Bullock)

Statement jewelry on the runway:

(Chanel, Marni, Michael Kors)

Steffani Symons styling with statement jewelry:

Reverie Editorial

2011-11-12T16:22:00.001-08:00

Recently, Steffani styled a western themed photo shoot for a Reverie editorial.

Is your style western influenced?

THIS SUMMERS HOTTEST SIZZILING LOOKS!!!

2011-06-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here at Steff's House of Style, we recently did a video shoot featuring some of this SUMMER'S HOTTEST LOOKS! From how to turn a Little Blue Dress from day to night, to how to wear your summer sheers, and how to look like a Bohemian free spirit while being a true fashionista!

There is a style out there for EVERYONE this summer, TAKE A LOOK!

(Videos of these looks coming soon!!!)

PREPARATION FOR THE SHOOT

TRANSFORMING THE LITTLE BLUE DRESS FROM DAY TO NIGHT!

This is for all the girls who want to wear a cute little dress to lunch with the girls, and transform the same dress it into something sexy for the evening!

For the DAY LOOK we paired the LBD(little blue dress) with a white cropped jacket.

She also has a yellow feather highlight in her hair, as well as a big green clutch, and silver, green and yellow serpent bracelets

For the EVENING LOOK we paired the LBD with a gold serpent necklace, bracelet and ring. As well as a gold clutch.

Little Blue Dress and Yellow Hair Accessory provided by Shimmer Retail Stores

White Crop Jacket provided by Pink Zone Retail Stores

Gold Necklace, Green and Yellow Silver Bracelets provided by Make Magic Twist

http://www.makemagictwist.com/

Green Clutch, Gold Clutch, Gold Serpent Ring and Bracelet (Evening Look) provided by Steff's House of Style

SHEER FOR THE OUTDOORS

This is for all the girls who love to hang out by the pool and be outdoors, while looking like a STAR!

For this look we paired a sheer overlay( swimsuit underneath.) with a big floppy sun hat, chic sunglasses, safari wood bangles, big oversized beach bag, and a great pair of gladiator heels!

Sheer Overlay, Wood Bangles and Gladiator Heels, and Sunglasses provided by Steff's House of Style

Sun Hat provided by Pink Zone Retail Stores

Beach Bag provided by Target

BOHO CHIC

This is for all the girls who love to be earthy, natural, free spirited and FASHIONABLE!

In this look we paired a white crochet maxi skirt, a black crop top (with ivory embroidery on back), peacock feather necklace, green feather earrings, and a bright colored head scarf.

Crop Top, Maxi Skirt, PeacockNecklace and Feather Earring provided by Pink Zone Retail Stores

Multi Colored Head Scarf provided by Steff's House of Style

CALYPSO ST. BART'S RESORT WEAR

This is for those girls who plan on going on a leisurely vacation this summer, and want to look great and feel comfortable while doing so!

(The Calypso St. Bart's line is an exclusive line carried only at Target for a limited time. Everything in this look is from the Calypso line. I would definitely suggest going to check it out!)

In this look we paired a Neon Green Tank, Bright Blue Embroidered Skirt, Gold Shell Necklace, Embroidered Beach Bag, Beaded Belt and White Sandals.

CASUAL IN THE PARK

These looks are for all those girls who are looking to spend a fun day at the park, and still look AMAZING!

Color Block Tank

Top and Leggings provided by Fashion Kiss Retail Stores

http://www.myfashionkiss.com/

Crop Top with White Straw Fedora

Top, Hat and Jeans provided by Pink Zone Retail Stores

Sheer Hibiscus Top with Khaki Linen Shorts and Embellished Sandals

Top provided by Fashion Kiss Retail Stores

http://www.myfashionkiss.com/

Shorts provided by Shimmer Retail Stores

Sandals provided by Steff's House of Style

EVENING BANDEAU TOP

This is for all those girls who want to STOP TRAFFIC while going out for a hot night on the town!

Bandeau Top, Jacket, Skirt and Earrings provided by Pink Zone Retail Stores

Cocktail Ring provided by Shimmer Retail Stores

Bracelet provided by Steff's House of Style

NOW YOU CAN GO OUT AND SHOP

THIS SUMMERS HOTTEST FASHIONS,

WHILE KNOWING THE LOOKS THAT LOOK BEST ON YOU!

STAY TUNED FOR STEFF'S HOUSE OF STYLE

BRINGING YOU

THIS SUMMERS HOTTEST FASHIONS

ON A YOUTUBE CHANNEL SOON!

2011-05-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

FLAWLESS FASCINATORS ARE

THIS SEASONS HOTTEST ITEM!

When you think of the term Fascinator, or as some like to call them "Fancy Hats", there are probably a few images that come to mind. Maybe a upper class British socialite, or a day at the horse races, or maybe even a beautiful bride. Hopefully by the time you are done reading this you will see that there are many different looks that can be worn with this seasons hottest accessory, the FABULOUS FASCINATOR!

STYLE ICONS OF

THE FASCINATOR

Sarah Jessica Parker and her Sex and The City character Carrie Bradshaw have single handedly brought fascinators and big statement hair pieces back to be chic and sexy for women of all ages!

Blake Livelys character in the show Gossip Girl have shined the spotlight on fun hair accessories for girls everywhere, making them fun cool and hip again! Some call her "The New Carrie Bradshaw" for today's teen girls!

The Newest Face of the Fascinator

Today in our history, if you were to show a picture of a fascinator hat to a person on the street and ask them to "name a well known person who wears these" 9 times out of 10 they would say Kate Middleton. Or as she is now called The Dutchess of Cambridge. She has put her "stamp" on these hats, as did Jackie Kennedy did with The Pillbox Hat many years ago. She has put a fun fresh twist on a classic look. I'm guessing in our future history books, you will see images of her, and she will be wearing the hats she has made so popular!

THE FACE OF

THE FUNKY FASCINATOR

When you see pictures of Lady Gaga, I'm guessing the word fascinator DOESN'T come to mind. However, her statement hair accessories are part of her trademark looks. If you look closely at these pictures of her you will see she is wearing the "fascinator style". She is just an innovator because she mixes it up to become all different shapes and literal forms!

I BET YOU DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS A FASCINATOR? When in reality, this is probably one of the most famous fascinator ever worn!

DIFFERENT LOOKS TO BE WORN WITH

THE FASCINATOR

Hopefully by now you have started to see more, that fascinators come in all shapes and sizes, and can add that fabulosity to any look! Here are some examples of hot trends that are out there now, that look fabulous with a fascinator!

THE BALLERINA LOOK

For those girly girls out there who love the lace and bows, this is a great look to pair with a fascinator!

A big bow in the hair with a tulle ballerina skirt, is the perfect way to top off this look!

THE EDGY LOOK

The stylists who created these looks were innovative enough to think outside of the box and go for something other than the typical berets and beanies.

Can you see any of these looks being paired with a sharp black fascinator with feathers like this?

Can you see this paired with a black leather jacket?

You can do the bold contrast of the black and red to give it that edge, and add a funky fascinator to top it off!

THE CASUAL LOOK

Not all fascinators have to be big and flamboyant! I'm aware not everyone wans to look like Lady Gaga or Rhianna on a typical casual day. These simple flat pieces can just as easily be paired with a t shirt and jeans, as well as the popular one shoulder tops that you see everywhere right now!

Taylor Swift is a great style icon for pairing casual everyday looks with fun simple hair accessories that STILL can make a statement!

Can you seen the casual off the shoulder look lauren conrad is wearing on the left, paired with the fascinator pictured below?

And last but not least....

THE CLASSIC BLACK AND WHITE LOOK

This is the most classic and traditional look the fascinator can be paired with. You can't go wrong with simple silhouettes, paired with a black or white statement piece like the fascinator!

So NOW you can see LOTS of different ways you can wear this seasons hottest item!

So if your wishing you were a fashion fixture at the Kentucky Derby Horse Races this upcoming weekend, make yourself a mint julip and put on your FABULOUS fascinator, and it'll be like your already there!

SPRING INTO THIS SEASONS MUST HAVE LOOKS!!

2011-04-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Today I will be talking about All THINGS SPRING for 2011 FASHION! Each week I will be focusing on a few of the hot trend items from my list of "Top Ten Spring Must Haves" that are out there right now. I will also be letting you know the styles to keep your eye out for, so you to can be a style trend setter!! And lastly, I will be picking a style star of the week, and pointing out some stars that need to fire their team because they look like a hot mess!! SO LETS TALK F-A-S-H-I-O-N.....

B ON THE LOOKOUT FOR: LITERAL PRINTS

Dior Couture Fall 2010/Paris Fashion Week

Not only are prints BIG this spring, but literal prints are in full swing! If you haven't started to notice yet, you will start to see animal prints in the form of full pictures of animals on shirts. Floral prints will not be just printed as the design on a shirt, but a whole picture of a flower on the shirt. This trend is also expanding to shoes, bags, and accessories, which I will talk more about below. The most common style for this trend I am seeing in stores is over sized t-shirts with faces of leopards, zebras, and other exotic animals! If you like BIG AND BOLD, this is definitely a style that is sure to attract attention! There are pics below of some current literal prints out on the streets of fashion now..

Cute literal print panda beanie

Flowers with full stem and all are in full bloom!!!

HOT COLOR ALERT!!!..CHARTREUSE

This color is great for spring and summer, but definitely not an easy color to wear. Chartreuse is a mix of a bright canary yellow and a lime green. I think this colors looks best paired with black accessories! But people with light skin tones and fair colored hair, should be weary. Since this color is so bright, it tends to wash out light hair and skin. People with more olive skin tones and dark colored hair have a better chance of wearing this color well. For those avid Chartreuse lovers out there like me who can't wear it in it's full form, there is still hope! You can always add the bright light of chartreuse by adding it in the form of a colored hair accessory, or bold statement necklace, or even a pop shoe color! Go bigger and BOLDER by adding it to your eye makeup!! One thing is for sure, when wearing this color you are sure to be a SHOW STOPPER!!!

CHECK THIS OUT!!....SERPENT JEWELRY

When you first think of Snake Jewelry, the first celebrity that might come to mind is Angelina Jolie. She has single handedly made serpent jewelry sleek and sexy, and a must have item for spring and summer! These trendy fun pieces also fall under the Statement Jewelry and Literal Piece category. These items are very versatile because you can wear them as earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, even hair accessories!

Pictures from http:///www.makemagictwist.com

There is a website I encourage you to check out if you like to create this Grecian, edgy look. It is called Make Magic Twist http://www.makemagictwist.com. You can buy a flexible band in multiple colors, and twist it into whatever piece of jewelry your looking to create. One day you can make a ring, the next shape it back into a necklace, very fun!!

This years serpent trend has formed from last years popular item, the braided look(see picture above), and now it has taken a more literal shape. Also falling into springs hot "Literal Look" is insect jewelry. I have a picture below of a pendant that combines the insect look with snakes on the sides, which I thought was really interesting!! Especially in spring I tend to see a lot of butterflies and bug shaped jewelry. Also Owls, Elephants and Leopards are common pieces of literal jewelry to keep your eyes open for!!!

THE CLOSET CHANGEOVER - FROM WINTER TO SPRING!

Depending on what part of the world you live in, it's probably that time of year again to put away all your heavy winter coats and, and put on something fun and flirty! It's a freeing experience when we don't have to be covered all day by long pants and layers on top. There are perks to every seasons variations of styles and colors. In the winter you can bring out your fun holiday party cocktail dresses, paired with some great shiny accessories. But in the SPRING the color comes BACK in pastels, and brights, and you can wear long flowy skirts with florals and cute sandals. I love color, and spring is definitely the season to EMBRACE IT!!

I do my spring change over on March 1st annually. Ideally, you would want the day you bring out your spring clothes to be bright and sunny! For me this year, it was quite the opposite unfortunately. March 1st here in San Diego, happened to be one of the coldest days of the year and we had a bad winter storm and it snowed. No you didn't read that wrong, it actually SNOWED! And then there was me wearing my spring floral maxi dress, a little out of place and cold to say the least. But I literally could not wait another day to put away all the black and grey, and get out all my feminine florals!! I would love to hear about all your closet change over stories:-) I hope you have enjoyed doing your spring change over this year, or are in the process of doing so now!

This Weeks Style Star, and Those Who Missed Their Mark...

Dianne Krueger at Cochella Music Festival

This is the perfect example of effortlessly chic. I love the straw fedora, one of the hottest hats out there this spring. Along with the flowy maxi skirt, minimal(but well placed) accessories and the strappy wedge sandal. Neutrals with hints of black are all the rage this season. She hits all her mark in this look, and that's why I chose her to be the Style Star of the Week!

Malin Ackerman

When I see pictures like this I think to myself "who let this person out of the house?!?".Celebrities obviously have a wealth of money and teams in place to make them look great at all times. If I were in charge of this persons career, her styling team would be FIRED! It looks like there are pieces of tape randomly placed all over the dress. Someone of her petite size should not wear something with that high of a neck because it makes her look boxy. Her hair is all a mess, and that is not the "cute bed head" look either. The only thing she did get right is the black with the neutrals. As I had mentioned above, that is a huge color trend this spring. If you have read my past posts, I have raved about Malin's style many times. Unfortunately, this is not one of her best look and that makes her my Style Miss Of The Week.

Welcome to Steff's House of Style featuring Steff's Style Secrets!

2011-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome Fashionistas!!

Thank you for visiting Steff's Style Secrets! Since we have last spoke we have added a new addition to our company:-) I have now created a fashion styling firm called Steff's House Of Style. Now, not only can we talk about what's HOT in fashion, and the seasons "must haves", but I can also assist you personally with your styling needs for any upcoming events you may have! I am SO exited to get to work with people one on one, in helping them look their best!!

Some of the things we will be talking about here at Steff's Style Secrets are What's Hot Now, Trends To Be On The Lookout For, Style Stars Of The Week, Wardrobe Malfunctions Of The Week, and MUCH MORE!

I hope you continue to come back and chat with us about everything fashion!
~Because Everyday Is A Fashion Show!

Check Back for All Things Spring Fashion 2011, Coming Soon!!

If you would like to schedule a styling consultation with Steff's House of Style for a upcoming event, please do so on the scheduler below. Look forward to talking with you soon:-)

Come Join Us On Facebook!

Get Your Shine On, Braided Chain Jewlery, and Bohemian Rhapsody

2009-10-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

TREND WATCH –

BOOTS

Fall marks the time of year where the leaves are falling, your starting to get out your fall decorations, doing your seasonal changeover (I hope) and getting out those cute boots that have been in hibernation since the beginning of the year! This year, you will see everything from little ankle booties (which I love) to tall dramatic over the knee boots. They are plenty of things to love about boots, they are so versatile. You can find them in every color, in every style (one to match each look) and they keep you warm. What more could you ask for! My favorite pairing with boots is with big coats, like a trench or a pea coat, or tucked into a pair of jeans paired with a blazer on the top. So, if you’re thinking of going shoe shopping soon, and wondering what styles to look for, for fall, look no further than the cute boot section, and I’m sure you will be happy with what you come home with!

B ON THE LOOKOUT FOR –

MAXI SKIRTS

I talked the other day about the maxi dresses that you’re seeing everywhere. I am learning that they are not only for summer, but also great for fall and winter. I realized recently that there is an alternative, if long dresses aren’t your thing, welcome..The Maxi Skirt. We used to think long skirts are only for older people, and made in funny patterns or colors, but that’s not the case anymore. You can pair them with cute flats, or the little ankle booties. This would go great with that “Boho/Earthy” look that’s hot for fall! This season is very versatile when it comes to fashion because the spectrum is so broad. Not too often you see micro minis and maxi length skirts on the same shelves. Usually it’s one or the other, but this year, were lucky enough to have the best of both worlds, at our fingertips!

GET YOUR SHINE ON!!

If you’re already on the lookout for that perfect holiday dress like I am (good to get started early) look no further than the perfect little sparkle dress. If you’re thinking “walking sparkler” or “too much glitter”, that is a thing of the past. This dress is the most wanted item for the upcoming holiday season, and I guarantee, you will turn more than a few heads!! I mentioned in one of my first blogs that I fell in love with the yellow sequin dress Malin Akerman wore in 27 dresses. Well I found out that that particular dress is a $700, and made by designer Catherine Malendrino. For most of us, that is a little out of our price range. However, as I was browsing around forever21.com I saw a really cute one for$.. That’s a little more affordable right? You can probably go to any store like Charlotte Russe or Forever 21 and they will have a large selection for you to choose from. There is nothing that’s hotter for the upcoming holiday season!!! Just remember the rule of 3, or you might end up looking like a disco ball..

COME CHECK THIS OUT!

http://www.polyvore.com/

I had to tell you about this really cool website I came across the other day called polyvore.com. You can create your own looks by selecting pieces from the categories listed (tops, pants, dresses, etc.). You drag the items into a picture box, and make a collage of the look you want to create. The really cool thing is you can actually buy the pieces online that you choose for your look. For example, if you pick a pair of black pumps to go with your outfit, there will be a link telling you where to buy them, and for how much. Some of the items are a little pricey, but some are less than $20, that’s right in my price range..You should definitely check it out!!

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY -

This is one of my favorite looks for fall. You can mix prints, with florals, in fall colors like browns, yellows and oranges,. The look goes best with skirts and dresses. You can pair it with some hot hair accessories like braids or the feathers hairclips. It’s today “modern hippie” with a touch of chic!

WEAR IT NOW! – THE STUDDED LOOK

I am going to do something new where I will bring to you something I see in a magazine, or on TV. And show you how easy it is to create for your own wardrobe, with a few key pieces.

This look is casual, mixed with a little edge. All you need is a few key pieces you can find anywhere, at affordable prices. Start off with a plain colored fitted t shirt, pair it with black leggings, add a studded belt, find a clutch with lots of chains or studs(lots of metal work), and finish it off with a pair of cute flats, and you’ll be star studded in no time!!

(See the rule of 3??)

ACCESSORY FILE - I am doing something new where I am going to bring you a hot new accessory in each article.

Today’s Accessory File – Braided Chain Jewelry

I am going to go off topic here for a second, but I promise you, this segment is about chain metal jewelry. You’ll see, read on! This spring I was shopping in forever 21, and I had one of those “shopping moments”. Do you ever have those where you see something and you do the “gasp” because whatever you just saw is SO cute? I do have those moments every so often, and usually those things that I see become key pieces in my wardrobe. So I was browsing around Forever 21, and I saw this top. It was a black draped halter top with this silver part for the halter part that looked like a shiny silver snake. I know it sounds weird, but it was HOT, and it definitely made a statement! On that day, I actually didn’t get it, because I went home and told my mom what it was, and asked her to get it for my birthday, but she forgot. Here comes a few months later, I start to see this braided chain link look everywhere, in magazines, on celebrities, especially in statement necklaces, go figure! Then I went shopping with my friend a few weeks ago and found a bracelet that was exactly like the top I wanted, so I thought, “well if I can’t have the top at least I’ll have the bracelet” Then as I was browsing online at forever21.com for cute leggings, I came across (GASP!!) MY TOP!! It doesn’t look like much from the pic, but in person it definitely makes a statement! So I am happy to share my favorite piece with you, in hopes that it might become yours!

CELEBRITY STYLISTA

Today’s Celebrity Stylista is Gwyneth Paltrow. Some of you may look at this outfit and say “what’s so special about that?” I am highlighting her in this because this look is as simple as it gets. A boyfriend jacket or a blazer (see my fall must have list), a pair of skinny jeans, a pair of pumps, and VOILA! You have the most chic, yet simple look! Proving that it doesn’t take much to look like a stylista!

Everyday Chic, Winter Must Haves, & The Changeover

2009-10-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

THE LOOK OF THE DAY – “EVERYDAY CHIC”

In this look I am wearing a Black, Grey and White Snakeskin Print Top, Black Stone Necklace with a thick stretch black belt, black leggings, and my favorite black and tan snakeskin shoes.

For this outfit it was just a regular laid back Sunday. I wanted to be comfortable, but stylish at the same time (which is easy to do!) I went to a beach little community here in town and went to lunch with a friend. We went to a little boutique that she likes to shop at (I will show you the steals I got there, tomorrow). I brought a flat pair of shoes in case we went to the beach (high heels and sand don't mix!), but it was too cold. We went back to her house, watched some football, hung out, and that was it. Not a busy day, just normal. But still managed to have a few people notice my outfit. Sometimes it’s not how fancy you dress, but how you carry yourself in the outfit you have on. To me, dressing fashionable just helps me have a positive image, to which then I feel good, and hopefully project that onto others, and make them feel good. So you can be chic and casual, or star studded and glamorous, but as long as your inner beauty projects, that will make you all the more beautiful!

The Changeover -

My house in a little chaotic right now because were in the middle of the “summer to winter changeover”. Clothes being moved from upstairs to downstairs, and put in there appropriate closet until their season arrives again. I would assume you do this is your house too? Put away your tank tops and get out your sweaters, things like that? Not only am I doing my changeover, but my mom and dad are doing there’s too. My dad couldn’t care less about fashion, his is a typical guy, put away the short, get out the sweats, cut and dry. Me, on the other hand do things a little differently. I do a changeover every 3 months, because as I mentioned in a previous blog, I am a little OCD about what colors I wear in what months! So I do my first changeover at Easter, in putting the winter clothes away. Then I do it again in June, putting spring away and getting summer out. Then labor day, I put summer away, and get fall out. Lastly, In November I get winter out, until Easter rolls around again, lol. I wouldn’t expect any regular person to go through all that trouble 4 times a year, but that’s the best way for me to keep them all straight, and to dress appropriately for whatever season it is. I would love to hear your comments on how your changeover works~

STYLE TIP -

Double Bracelet

In my last Celebrity Stylista section, Malin Akerman, I commented on her double bracelet, and how I would have changed it. But it turns out, the double bracelet trend is popping up everywhere I look! In the latest issue of Vogue, almost every ad with a model had her wearing, not one, but two bracelets! I think it’s because bracelets are so fabulous, that we couldn’t have just one anymore, we had to have two, one on each hand!! That would be hard for me to wear and still apply “the rule of three”. Only getting to chose one other accessory? Hmm, that‘s tough:-/ But, it can be done, and it does look good! We just have to remember that “less is more”.

My Shopping Trip –

So my shopping trip with my mom, that I had mentioned the other day went well. We went to our local thrift store that was having $1 sales. No, I didn’t leave out a zero, you read it right, a dollar! Everything in the store is a dollar! Like I had mentioned the other day, 90% of it is junk, but you have to dig for the good stuff, and I found some GOOD stuff! My mom actually goes there to buy things for her fashion class when they have a “creativity lesson” and they have to add things to a piece of clothing that she gives them. When I find those “diamond in the rough” pieces, I like to think of it as “giving them a good home”, lol.. It was kind of chaotic because everyone is rummaging, and digging through the racks (I’m sure you’ve been to sales like that), but it was fun. Here are a few pictures of things I got there…

Baby Pink Angora Sweater Dress( my mouth dropped when I saw this, for only $1)

Red Velour Top(Great for Holiday Parties!)

Mini Cable Knit Sweater(Still only $1)

B ON THE LOOKOUT FOR -

Neckwearps/Tube Scarves

There isn’t a winter accessory I love more than scarves. They are the best of both worlds, comfortable and so chic! However, they sometimes can be complicated to tie, so they look just right. Now rest assured fall’s newest winter accessory is hassle free and smokin hot! What is it you ask? It’s the neck wrap, or tube scarf as some call it. It’s like a scarf, except it just loops over your head like a necklace. I think we will be seeing it everywhere this winter, paired with our big winter coats. I unfortunately don’t have any of these yet, being as there so new, there probably putting them on the shelves as we speak. But you know, you will be the first to find out when and where I get them!

HOT COLOR –

JADE

“Going Green” has taken on a whole new meaning this season. When most people refer to it, they are talking about the environment, and how everything you see now is “environmentally friendly”. If you were to here it on the street today, it would probably referring to this fall and winters most popular color, Jade. I have been obsessed with jade accessories ever since I saw Leann Rimes in a black black dress at an event a few years ago, and her jade jewelry just glowed! I couldn’t find any pictures of that look, but I did find something similar when Angelina Jolie wore a black dress with jade chandelier earrings to the Oscars (see pic). For this season, it’s best paired with silver, and black. My favorite pairing of jade is to put it with fuchsia, talk about “POP”! Consider jade when you planning what to wear for your upcoming holiday party. Whether it is in your glowing accessories, or in a killer dress. You’re sure to wow the crowd in any way you wear it!

Today's Celebrity Stylista -

This is Blake Lively making an appearance at a store in NYC. I love this look because everything about it IS fall fashion! Starting with the leather jacket, of course. Complimented by the peacock print top. Peacock print is one of my favorite prints, as long as it’s done as an “accent”, small amounts here and there. I love the brown quilted bag with chain link strap (probably Chanel, but we can find the same thing at JC Penny’s, right?) and the little ankle booties (see my fall must have list). The only thing I’m not crazy about is the tweed shorts. Yes she her legs look great, but it’s New York, in the middle of October. Needles to say, I bet she was cold! If I were her stylist, I would have put her in a just above the knee tweed skirt, to match the fall feel of everything else!

Sorry this was so short today, I am recovering from a few days of being sick! But come back tomorrow for more dish on this winter’s must have accessories, and I will show you the steals I got at the boutique I went to the other day. As for tomorrows look of the day, well you’ll just have to come back and find out! See you then…

"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love" - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

" Fun and Flirty", Add that "POP", & Fall Accessories

2009-10-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

LOOK OF THE DAY – “Fun and Flirty”

In this look, for the top, I paired a teal chiffon deep v neck, belted overlay, with a black camisole underneath. For the bottom, I paired it with black leggings. For the accessories, I chose a long chain link gold necklace, with a shiny gold bracelet.

WHERE TO???

Today I am going out for a night with my mom. She is like one of my best friends. I accredit everything I know and love about fashion, from her teaching me as I was growing up. Since we were going shopping, out to eat, and to a movie, I didn’t want to stand out too much, but just enough to where people look twice (in a good way). One of my favorite sayings is from none other than Ms. Paris Hilton, and it says “life’s too short to blend in!” and I live by that every day! So on my date with my mom, I made it simple, but added a little “POP! Now if I were going on a date with Jesse Metcalfe (the gardner from desperate housewives,…. ya that’s the one).That would be a whole different story! (I have my outfit already picked for that day, I’m just waiting for the call :-)

B ON THE LOOKOUT FOR - FALL HAIR ACCESSORIES

My staple this summer was this white flower hair clip that I wore with almost every outfit. I was sad to have to put it away until next yearL but then I saw that there are SO many choices for fall, for adding a little “pop to your mop” lol..You see them most on shows like The Hills, or Gossip Girl. But it was originally started by the always fabulous Sara Jessica Parker aka Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and The City. I wouldn’t expect a regular person to walk outside with the hats like she had that looked like there was a bird sitting on her head, lol. She was high fashion, wore things straight off the runway. Then for the public to buy, it’s toned down about ten notches into more subtle things like feather headbands and hairclips. But,…. she did pull it off fabulously, I might add!! I bought this elastic headband a while ago that is a wrap around braid (Inspired by Nicole Ritchie, see pic below). It goes great with that bohemian look that is so popular right now. And who wants to spend an hour braiding their hair when you can just put one of these on and make it look effortless? Whether it is fall flowers, or feathers, or headbands, no one can argue that adding a little “roo to your doo” is definitely in fashion for fall!

Here's a link to Fall's Hottest Hair Accessories..Hot or Not?

http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/beauty/get-the-latest-celebrity-hair-accessories/gallery

WHAT'S HOT NOW! -LEGGINGS AND TIGHTS

When do you hear the word “pants” and “fashion” used in the same sentence? Hardly ever! It’s always a dress, or a skirt, or the now popular leggings and tights. For the younger generations, leggings and tights have taken the place of pants. I had an older lady compliment me the other day on my “pants”, even though I was wearing leggings:-/ To older people they will always be “pants”, but to us, they are this fall’s must have item! Now there is a HUGE difference between leggings and tights, don’t get them confused or you will be on your way to a major “wardrobe malfunction”. Leggings can be worn as long as the top falls below the butt (you don’t want to show off too much “shape” if you know what I mean). Tights on the other hand, are best worn with more coverage, like as an “underneath accent”, to a dress or a skirt. These days leggings have every embellishment you could imagine, from zippers to studs, from stripes to spots (hopefully not together!). So go out and get yourself a few pair for fall, and start pairing them with all those cute skirts and dresses you have lying around!

GREAT DEALS FOR STEALS!

I had mentioned in a past blog that just because I shop for cheap prices, doesn’t mean I get cheap clothes. A lot of my things last me for a few seasons, at least. The upside is I save a lot of money, and have more money to shop. As you can see in the pictures below, I got this beautiful top for $18 at JC Penny's! You have to go to the discount stores with an open mind, looking for key pieces like the perfect denim skirt, or that great top that would look so cute with a belt! If you go there looking for high end designer items, or the latest Hurley skirt, you’re going to be disappointed. People have the impression that the things are there at these types of stores are there for a reason. Either there damaged, or made wrong, and some of the stuff is. But there are those things there that aren’t, I like to call them “Gems”. You have to dig through a lot of bad to find the good. It takes time and energy. Don’t go there when you’re tired or in a hurry, be patient. Because once you find that “Gem” after sorting through all those racks, it’s like finding “the diamond in the rough”, and it will all be worth it! To be honest, when I was younger I used to be afraid to go into discount or thrift stores because I didn’t want people seeing me in there thinking I was poor. Little did I know, my mom knew the secret that I now have learned as an adult. They have great one of a kind items, for really reasonable prices, and that’s something that should never be overlooked!

STYLE TIP - ACCENT COLOR

You know when I use the word “Pop” or “Bam”? That’s the best way to describe accent colors. It’s adding a little hint of something to your look. For example, if you have a cute black and white outfit, you can add a hint of yellow for summer, or if you want to make it wintery, add a hint of red. In this outfit, my accent color was gold, because of the color of the buckle on the belt. I added a little “ Pop” of gold to the neckline, wrist, and feet. Always keep this in mind, LESS IS MORE! You don’t want to overdo it, and have the accent color overpower your two main focus colors. Splashes of bright colors are really in this fall. Last year bright colors were everywhere, BIG AND BOLD! Like bright pink pants, with bags and shoes to match. This year it’s toned down a lot to a lot more to subtle placement in your wardrobe. So if you have a bright tank top that you didn’t know what to wear it with, try layering it, and putting it under another top, and see how you like it!

RULE OF 3 -

It was REALLY hard for me to stick to the rule with this outfit. Since the top came with the belt, that only left me with 2 options (oh no!!) I chose gold as my accent color (like I mentioned above) and I had every accessory to go with this outfit. Gold and black earrings, a black cocktail ring, gold necklaces, gold bracelets. Ultimately, I had to decide what would show up the best. Since it’s such a deep neckline I had to go with a necklace, to draw attention to that area. Because of the way I did my hair, I knew the earrings wouldn’t show up. So that left me with the bracelet or the ring..(Oh, the choices!!!) I chose the bracelet because it was bigger, and could be seen more. I was really tempted to just put on every piece of jewelry I liked with this outfit and just throw away the rule! But I know that if I did, I would feel weird and “gaudy” and think to myself “ too much”, and that “Less is More” is one fashion rule I will always follow!

CELEBRITY STYLE-

This is Malin Akerman at the Premiere of Couples Retreat. She looks amazing in everything she wears! My favorite things I have ever seen her in, is in the movie 27 Dresses, in the Yellow Sequin Mini(anyone remember?). I put a picture up of it another day. I love how she pairs the cream, silver, and the yellow accent together. Do you see how it just "Pops"!! Can you see the Rule of 3, and that she uses "less is more"? If I were her stylist, the only thing I would have done differently is add something to the neckline, instead of the two bracelets, because it looks a little bare..but she still looks amazing!

Well, that's it for today, come back tommorow for "Casual Sundays" and "The Seasonal Closet Changeover".. See you then:-)

Pair it with a Jacket, Fall Colors, and Layering Leather

2009-10-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

LOOK OF THE DAY "A Little Bit Sweet, A Little Bit Rock"

In this look, I paried a leather jacket, with a orange strapless maxi dress. I wore large silver hoop earrings, and black and tan faux snakeskin peep toe heels. With a matching clutch of the same color, and texture.

This is actually one of my favorite looks because it mixes sweet and feminine ( I am a girly girl), with a little bit of edge.. I had the impression that maxi dresses are only to be worn in the summer with a cute pair of sandals. But I went shopping with a friend the other day, and she encouraged me to think otherwise..

When I originally bought the dress in the spring for ($4 at jc penny’s, on clearance from $80! see picture below), I planned on cutting the ties out of the middle of the dress, and stitching it shut, then stitching the tie part to the top corners of the dress, and make a halter, so it will “hold me up”..I am far from being a seamstress, but I have learned the basics of sewing because when I buy things I sometimes see them as what they CAN BECOME, if I cut this off, or fix, this..as in this case..Do any of you do the same?

How Much Did I Spend…

I got the shoes at TJ Maxx this spring for $20(see pic)They are Tahari, which is a really nice brand!. And if your wondering why I still have tags on half of my clothes, mainly because I have so many clothes, that haven’t been worn, because I haven’t gotten to them yet. As for the shoes, I’ve worn them a few times, I just forgot to take the sticker off the bottom, lol..The clutch I got at Ross for $2, and the leather jacket for $10. I can’t remember how much the earrings were, but probably around $10.. In total, I probably spent around $45 dollars for the entire outfit!

Every strapless thing I own, I think, "how can I add straps?", again because of the bust situation that I come across often.. Usually this style dress looks is best on small busted girls. But us bigger chested girls can make it look just as fabulous, if we pair it with a jacket!

Style Tip – Cute and Cozy!

I don't what the weather is like where you live, but where I live, In San Diego, recently it has gone from summer to winter jacket weather in about a week. So it's the perfect time to get out those jackets, whether it be a simple denim jacket, or a cute fitted mini, and start mixing and matching them with your fall dresses that you've been dying to get out of your closet!

Fall Colors-

Fall is my favorite season because there are SO many different colors to choose from!. Anyone who knows my theories on colors, knows I am very particular about what colors to wear in what months. But there is no better time to wear orange than now, and november. Some people associate black and orange to "Halloween" or "pumpkin", but with the right pairing, all they will see is "WOW"...when you add a third color, the "stereotype" goes away. One of my favorite pairings for fall is orange, silver and black.

The Color Calendar-

In this blog I will be posting a monthly calendar of what colors are best worn for the season..Right now for the month of October, I like to focus on “harvest colors” like shades of browns, orange, deep yellows. I think it's fun to pair these colors together, as well as some others like…

-Lime Green (normally see in the summer) with a Deep Purple, and a little white, now becomes fall.
-Olive Green & Brown( paired with black or white)
-Burgendy, Tan & Black
-Orange, Gold and Darm Denim
-Turquoise and White(paired with Black or Brown)

Here is a link to a site that will tell you more specifically, what fall colors work best with your skin tone

http://www.saloneastnyc.com/learn/chart.html

Accessories -

This outfit didn't allow me to accessorize much, unfortunitly. I wasn't able to wear bracelets. With the cut of the jacket, I wasn't able to wear a necklace because it would be hidden. A belt was not fitting to the cut of the dress because of the tie below the bust line. So that leaves one option, earrings. I thought since I wasn't able to pair it with anything else, I thought GO BIG! So I wore the biggest silver hoops I had(which in reality are just medium size)

Style Tip #2 - The Rule of Three

I wear all my looks based on this rule, and I am not a fan of rules when it comes to fashion.. but the reason for it is because if you don't set limits, where does it end??? You will end up wearing every accessory you own, that you think looks good. So I make myself pick ONLY three! When you put too many elements together, it ends up looking like a mess, instead of stylish and chic. I mentioned yesterday that at least 2 accessories are okay, but 3 is my limit. The same goes with color, when you try and put more than 3 colors together in your outfit, you might come out looking like a rainbow. Just try it! no more than 3 colors, and 3 accessories(belt, ring, bracelet, earrings, necklace) handbags don't count, those are necessities!

Where To???

This look is best worn out to dinner, or out with friends. For myself, I went to a event at a local high school to help out my mom. She is a fashion teacher(you wonder where I get it from?) and they had something they were doing for their club, so I was happy to help. I really enjoy seeing how the kids wear today’s hottest trends. Also, I enjoy talking to them about fashion because they are so eager to learn about the fashion industry, and asking how they can get into someday. I was one of them back in the day.. I think it's great to help kids realize their dreams, whether it be in fashion or something else. I discovered the job as a stylist on a trip to Los Angeles with my high school fashion class.. so you never know:-)

Some days I wake up, and feel as most of you do..tired, lazy, lots of things to do, and not wanting to do them. I know you probably think the same way I do " I do not want to put all the time and energy into looking good, because today I just don't care" we all have those days, myself included. But even if you’re feeling sad, or things haven't gone your way, or your just tired, keep in mind there could be someone right around the corner waiting for you(In a good way!). You never know who you’re going to meet on a given day, who can change your life...I am newly single, and as hard as it is for me to think that there is someone out there for me, I know I'll be somewhere, someday, and someone will think I look fabulous!! And that day could be today, so we better be ready!

The Key Style Element in this look -

The Leather Jacket(see my fall must haves list)

Also the faux skin heels and bag, as well as the maxi dress( even if it is fall!)

B on the lookout for- Leather Leggings!

I don't even have a pair yet, but I will let you know when and where I find them! They are a hundred times better option than leather pants, lol. Leather and Studs are two key elements that are very IN right now!

CELEBRITY STYLE

Today’s Celebrity Stylista - Nicole Ritchie

She is one of my style icons because whatever look she’s wearing, she wears it effortlessly. She is a free spirit, mixed with pure class, which is what I love about her. I met her a long time ago at an American Idol event, and she just exudes sweetness, and it shows!

That's it for today! I hope you are coming back and visiting more regularly:-) Tommorow's topics will be a surprise, mainly because I'm still deciding what were going to talk about..but come back and find out! Look forward to seeing you then :-)

"The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in"

-Paris Hilton

The "Sexy Safari" Look, Statement Jewelry, and How to Wear One Shoulder Pieces

2009-10-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

Hi! Welcome to Steff's Daily Dish!! This has been a dream of mine to get to share my views, and talk fashion with people from all over, for a long time. I am glad I finally found a way to do just that! So I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I do writing it :-)

In my column, I will talk about a daily look that I put together, from pieces in my own closet, and about how you can best to wear the same thing, you can find in your stores. Also, I will talk about what's IN, and what to be on the lookout for, style tips, and of course, celebrity style of the day. So, if your ready, let's get started...

THE LOOK OF THE DAY- "Sexy Safari"
It is a one shoulder animal print satin top with a cinched waist. I am pairing it with skinny jeans and peep toe black pumps and gold jewelry.

STYLE TIP -
Most one shoulder tops are longer in length, to make the torso look longer and give the leaner appeal. If the top falls below your butt, leggings are a super sexy option for the bottom portion of your outfit. If you want to go more casual, skinny jeans always look great too. Want to pair it with a cute mini skirt? Just tuck in the top, and belt it at the waist..very sleek looking! Just make sure everything is in proportion. If the top is looser, pair it with something narrow on the bottom(like the legging or jean, or even a pencil skirt). If it's more fitted on the top, you can pair it with a fuller skirt. Another cute way to wear one shoulder tops is to add a thick belt to the waist, to give you that cinched waisted look..

B ON THE LOOKOUT FOR - Statement Jewelry (see my fall must have list)
With this outfit I paired it with Chandelier Gold Earrings, which I probably got at Forever 21 for like $5, A plain shiny gold bracelet, and a fun yellow "diamond" gold cocktail ring. BIG AND BOLD IS IN! I see accessories as just adding that much more "POP" to the outfit and look you create. But you don't want to overdo it. I'd always do at least 2 pieces(belt, earrings, bracelet or ring) depending on the outfit..

STYLE TIP #2-
I know for some larger girls, your looking at this top going "how am I going to wear a one shoulder top??" because of the problem with the bra situation (Believe me, I've been there!)...BUT I have the solution!!Believe it or not, the "what's underneath" is just important as what's on the outside. Because without the right "accessories" underneath, your look can fall flat. It can either make or break the way you wear your outfit..I am in no way small busted. I have an average body type and I wear a D size bra, but I have found that the corseted type strapless bra(the kind that wrap around your middle), instead of just a regular strapless definitely helps hold "the girls" up and make you look amazing! Also, if you have a convertible bra(the ones with the interchanging straps) You can just wear one strap, those work well also. OR, if you want to add a little something more to your already amazing outfit, you can wear a regular bra that matches the color of the top, so then a strap will show, but it will just look like part of the outfit..and no one will ever know:-)

WHERE TO??
This look is best worn out on a date, out with friends, or to a club. Any place that you go, you're going to make people stop, and look twice, with envy! In my case I am wearing it to a evening birthday celebration with my family. I know most people don't get dressed up for birthday dinners with their family. But if you come across this scenario, and your on your way to a family party, or planning one in the future, keep this in mind.. When you look back in ten years at the pictures that were taken on this day(and you know they will be around somewhere) Do you want to look back and say "EWW, what was I wearing??" or do you want to say "Damn, I looked good!!"..I think we both know the answer:-) You don't have to go all out, but just step it up a notch for a night, and I promise, when you look back at those pictures years down the road, you'll be happy!

WHAT'S HOT!
The Sexy Safari Look has a lot of the style elements that are IN right now, that you can find at your local stores such as Animal Print, Statement Jewelry, One Shoulder Tops, and the always stylish Skinny Jean.,.

CELEBRITY STYLE

I went to the Guess Green Launch Party in LA a little while ago, and ran into Emanuelle Chiriqui. You might know her from the movie On the Line, or the show Entourage. She is my style inspiration for this look. She was literally glowing in her satin canary yellow top and big gold earrings, and she looked amazing, as you can see. Every look I create is inspired by something. Whether it be a picture in a magazine, or something I see on TV. Then I twist it, and tweak it, to make it my own..and you can do the same!

Well, that's it for today..tune in tomorrow for "A Little Bit Sweet, A Little Bit Rock" when I to go to a fashion event at a local high school, and "What Fall Colors Work Best For You"

Please feel free to write any comments or feedback you have, good or bad. I'd love to know what you think, and how I can make this column best for you:-)

"Fashions Fade, Style is Eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent

Great Pieces at AFFORDABLE Price!

2009-10-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

Every time I go out in public I get approached by complete strangers, and they all say the same thing.."where did you get those( shoes, purse, top, etc)" or "I love your..." The funniest ones are "wow you match" or "can I buy that from you?"(I really have had people come up to me and ask me that, lol) My friends and family have asked me to help them pick out their outfits for special occasions, or to help them shop(which I love to do)..If I told you how much I spend on a pair of shoes(less that $20) or a whole outfit, you wouldn't believe me..Sure, it's fun to lie and say " I got it at Nordstroms for $200, when you really got it at Ross for $15.99, but the truth is you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to look great, not even close..You just need to know where to look and what styles look best on you..In my first blog, I will show you a few examples of a few things I have bought recently that are IN style right now, and affordable..

Basic Black Leather Pumps(Goes Great With Everything)
$9.00 at Ross

Black Animal Print Trapeze Dress-(Great with leggings)

(I know the pic is hard to see,..the dress top portion is satin, and it stops just above the bust line, and the dress portion is a black leopard print)

$8.50 at Buffalo Exchange

One Shoulder Gold and Black Satin Animal Print Top( Good for Date Night)

$ 7.50 at Buffalo Exchange

Two Tone Silver Strappy Peep Toe Stiletto

$17.99 at Buffalo Exchange

Black, Red and Grey Plaid Dress(Great for Upcoming Holiday Parties)

(I know this is hard to see as well, but the top is a thin black t-shirt material, and the waist has a black little band/belt around it, and the bottom is black, red and grey plaid full skirt)

$10 at Ross

SEE IT CAN BE DONE!!!

I know what some of you are thinking,.." shop cheap, get cheap things" But let me tell you, that is definitly NOT the case! In one of my upcoming segments, I will talk about how to find the good quality pieces at the reasonably priced stores..

Tommorow I will be starting "The Look of the Day", as well as Style Tips, Celebrity Fashion and more..STAY TUNED!